MADISON, Wis. — Gary Andersen’s introduction to Chris Borland came while he was still coaching at Utah State, preparing for a 2012 visit to Camp Randall Stadium.

As he studied video of Wisconsin’s personnel and schemes, Andersen loved what he saw from No. 44.

During the Big Ten kickoff meetings in Chicago, before Andersen had coached his first game at UW, he volunteered that in his view Borland is the best linebacker in the country.

Such declarations are always debatable. Yet Borland’s effort to shut down a screen pass in UW’s 48-0 victory over Tennessee Tech again illustrated why Andersen views Borland as he does.

“That was a great play,” Andersen said this week as UW (2-0) prepared for a road game Saturday against Arizona State (1-0).

UW held a 14-0 lead in the second quarter but quarterback Joel Stave had given the ball back to the visitors with an interception.

Tennessee Tech faced third and 17 from its 32 three plays after the turnover and ran a screen to the right. The screen was set up well, with three blockers in front of wide receiver Zack Ziegler, but Borland ruined the play with quick recognition, remarkable redirection and relentless pursuit.

“That’s what you get from a senior linebacker,” Big Ten Network analyst Derek Rackley said during the telecast. “Knowing the situation, putting his foot in the ground, redirecting and getting back to the ball carrier.”

Borland made the play appear effortless.

The fifth-year senior was lined up at right end at the snap. He took his rush to the outside to open a lane for linebacker Ethan Armstrong, who was lined up 5 yards off the line of scrimmage and slightly delayed his blitz.

The left tackle was drawn out to Borland, which opened a lane for Armstrong as the play was designed. Armstrong had a free run at quarterback Darian Stone and forced him to retreat to the 18 before unloading the ball.

The left tackle tried to execute a cut block but Borland deftly hurdled the fallen lineman. Borland’s momentum carried him to the 25 but he turned quickly and pursued the play from behind.

“I knew it was a screen,” Borland said. “Once you recognize screen you just try to locate the running back and get after the ball.”

Ziegler caught the ball at the 31 and was tucked in behind three blockers near the right sideline. Cornerback Peniel Jean was near the sideline, trying to turn the play inside, and linebacker Conor O’Neill was pursuing from inside out.

Borland brought Ziegler down at the 36, after a gain of only 4 yards and before Ziegler could make a move off the three blockers and attempt to get into the open field.

“The key for Chris is how fast he redirects,” Andersen said when asked about the play, “whether he’s in man coverage, whether he was rushing the passer, whether he was going wherever he was going.

“His ability to just have a sixth sense of what’s happening around him and get his foot on the ground and go get it is what’s so very impressive.”

Borland’s ability to recognize plays by reading his keys, and by feel, will be critical against an Arizona State offense that appears capable of moving the ball on the ground or through the air.

The Sun Devils rushed for 2,670 yards and 27 touchdowns and passed for 3,369 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. The stats were a bit skewed in the opener against Sacramento State as the Sun Devils passed for 365 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

“They have a lot of plays where it is a run play with a pass play combined,” Borland said. “The line blocks the exact same way. The running backs do the same action. And it is a quarterback read….

“There are some things you can do schematically to challenge that but a lot of times it is just guys staying at home and being patient and reading their keys.”

Borland’s ability to quickly recognize the opponent’s plan and instantaneously react to make a play was evident on the screen against Tennessee Tech.

“I’d love to coach him,” Arizona State coach Todd Graham said. “I’m an old-school guy and he is that kind of linebacker — physical, passionate….He is very, very strong and very explosive.

“He obviously has great play recognition and great instincts. This game is supposed to be played with unvbelievable passion and he really does that.

“He is, in my opinion, not only the best player on their defense…I think he is one of the best players in the country.”

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